[Bryan]

Here is the latest information regarding Groundspeak’s Geocoin tracking policy and requirements for creating trackable coins.

Groundspeak Geocoin Policy
As of 3-4-09

Design Considerations:
1. The final design of each geocoin must be approved by Groundspeak prior to production. Designs must be family friendly and may not include modified versions of the geocaching.com logo.

2. Use of the geocaching.com logo is not required. However, if you wish to use the geocaching.com logo, the ‘circle r’ trademark symbol must appear as part of the logo.

3. All trackable coins must bear the text, “Trackable on Geocaching.com" or “Track on Geocaching.com”

Order Details:
1. Generally, Personal Geocoin codes will begin with “PC” prefix and will be named “Personal Geocoin”

2. If 50 codes or more are ordered, a custom name may be requested.

3. If 50 codes or more are ordered, a custom icon may be ordered (details below).

3. If 50 codes or more are ordered for a geocaching event, a custom name may be requested, a custom icon may be ordered and the “EV” prefix may be requested.

4. If 1,000 codes or more are ordered, a custom name may be requested, a custom icon may be ordered and a custom prefix may be requested.

5. A custom activation code may be requested for any series of 100 coins or more. The activation code must be the same for all coins in the series.

Custom Coin Icons:
1. Available for Geocaching organizations, associations, commercial coin groups and Personal Coins.

2. The cost for a custom icon to be associated with your coins is a one time fee of $150. The icon design will need to be supplied to us in GIF format (non-animated) in the following pixel sizes: 16x16 and 32x32

3. All icon submissions must be the property of the owner or used with the owners permission.

4. 50 code minimum order.

Custom Code Series:
1. Following the first order of 1,000 codes for a custom prefix series, future orders for the same custom prefix with a new icon only require a 100 code minimum.

Cost and Details:
1. The cost per tracking number is US$1.50 and can be paid via paypal or credit card.

2. There is a 50 code minimum purchase required (although custom prefixes require a 1,000 code minimum order).

3. Note that some of the coin manufacturers listed below have purchased blocks of PC and EV codes for resale in smaller quantities. These numbers may be split between coins but each individual coin design must be approved prior to production. (Special Note as of September 2008: it seems that most, if not all, of the geocoin manufacturers are no longer reselling smaller batches of codes. If we hear of any of them who are, I will include their info here).

4. Codes with corresponding activation codes will be emailed in a txt file although an excel file may also be requested.

5. It generally takes 5-10 days to process the coin tracking number order.

Manufacturers:
The following coin manufacturers are familiar with our geocoin policies and can assist you with other details. If you contact them, they can provide you with pricing and art samples.

www.coinsandpins.com
www.personalgeocoins.com
www.oakcoins.com
www.thecachingplace.com
www.geocoinstore.com
www.chqualitycoins.com
www.landsharkz.ca
www.k2coins.nl
www.geocoinshop.de
www.hogwildstuff.org
www.geocachingshop.de
www.geocachingshop.com
www.cachezone.de
www.3geeks.ca
www.dorkfishcoins.com
www.cacheaddict.com
www.tsunrisebey.com
www.usageocoins.com
www.geocoinshop.com
www.dwprods.com
www.ukgeocachers.co.uk
www.worldcaching.com
www.geocoin.se
www.montereycompany.com
www.mygeocoin.de
www.lillysue.com
www.geoswag.com
www.crakeproductions.com
www.geocoins.biz
www.SoCalGeocoins.com
www.directmint.com
www.spacecoastgeocachers.com
www.phdcoins.ca
www.hagglecoins.com
www.geocachingshop.nl
www.geokes.cz
www.mypersonalgeocoin.de
www.dosen-futter.com
www.gccake.cz
ftfshop.eu
wbcoins.de

Resellers only (These do not manufacture geocoins)
www.worldcaching.com
www.Shop4Swag.com
www.gregsonvaux.com/GeoCoins/

Selling Trackable Geocoins:
If you wish to sell your Trackable Geocoins for profit or otherwise, you may do so.

If your coin is non-trackable and bears the geocaching.com logo, it may NOT be sold unless specific written permission has been obtained from Groundspeak to sell the coin.

To Get Started:
1. Please send your coin design to (annie at Groundspeak.com) for review.

2. If you have chosen a coin manufacturer to produce your coins, please let us know which one you have chosen.

3. Please let us know the desired quantity, desired coin name and desired code prefix (if applicable)

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

This post has been edited by Love: 13 February 2013 - 02:37 PM
Reason for edit: Update to the Approved Vendor List

[Bryan]

In response to many requests from geocachers, coin groups and manufacturers, we have modified our coin policy as of today. The revised policy is posted above.

Some notable changes:

1. Custom names and icons now available for code orders of 250 or more (formerly 500).
2. EV prefix may be requested for Event geocoins rather than standard PC prefix.
3. Custom activation codes now available.
4. Custom prefix series may be continued with 250 code minimums (formerly 1,000).

Two new notable changes (as of 10/4/06).

1. If the geocaching.com logo is used, it must contain the circle r trademark symbol but does not need to include the geocaching.com url beneath the logo.

2. Icons may no longer be submitted in jpg format. Gif format only, please.

One notable change (as of 11/7/06)

1. All icon submissions must be the property of the owner or used with the owners permission. This is in response to an icon submission that was owned by someone else. Since we don't check each and every icon as it is submitted to see if it matches any of the hundreds previously submitted, we will now make the policy more clear in hopes of avoiding any further issues.

Notable Changes (as of Feb 26, 2008)

1. Updated manufacturers list

2. Removed Design Consideration #4.
It read: "All coins must be predominantly two dimensional. We will allow raised design features and different shapes but, generally speaking, they must be flat."

Geocoins will no longer be required to be 'predominantly two dimensional'. Historically, there have been a few designs that didn't meet this requirement. In the interest of fostering creativity with geocoin (and other trackables) designs, those designs won't necessarily be excluded going forward.

This post has been edited by Rothstafari: 26 February 2008 - 09:24 PM

[Bryan]

As of today, some new changes have been made to the Groundspeak Geocoin Policy stated above.

The Specific changes (including section headers) are detailed below:

Order Details:

2. If 50 codes or more are ordered, a custom name may be requested.
(Formerly 100 codes)

3. If 50 codes or more are ordered, a custom icon may be ordered (details below).
(Formerly 250 codes)

3. If 50 codes or more are ordered for a geocaching event, a custom name may be requested, a custom icon may be ordered and the “EV” prefix may be requested.
(Formerly 250 codes)

Custom Coin Icons:

4. 50 code minimum order.
(Formerly 250 codes)

Custom Code Series:

1. Following the first order of 1,000 codes for a custom prefix series, future orders for the same custom prefix with a new icon only require a 100 code minimum.
(Formerly 250 code minimum)

Cost and Details:
2. There is a 50 code minimum purchase required (although custom prefixes require a 1,000 code minimum order).
(Formerly 100 codes)